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Hong Kong Ballet will stage "The Sleeping Beauty" in late March and put new excitement to this classic story.
Early in 1999, Hong Kong Ballet has extracted Act III - Aurora's Wedding to prepare the Company for this full-length performance. Other than the everlasting romantic story and Tchaikovsky's music, the new production will also feature Marius Petipa's greatest challenges on choreography. For example, "The Rose Adagio" that the Princess does in the First Act is probably one of the most difficult adagios in existence, and the "grand pas de deux classique" by the Prince and Princess and the "Blue Bird pas de deux" are incredible.
Stephen Jefferies, the Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, said, "In this production, we have new choreography for the fairies as well as a unique "Awakening pas de deux". Character dances of the wolf and puss in boots, the powerful and gorgeous Carabosse are all highlights not to be missed."
"The Sleeping Beauty" is a romantic story showing that true love fights against evil by all means. As a grand ballet production, the cast is perhaps even more powerful than "Swan Lake". For this time, the Company would like to update the story for today's audiences and get rid of some of the extra padding.
A new production by a pool of reputable creative talents including Peter Cazalet, the acclaimed designer for "La Bayadere". More than 200 new costumes and magical scenery: rainbow, waterfall, forest and grand palace are created...you'll absolutely be immersed into the dreamy fairy tale.
Founded in 1979, the Hong Kong Ballet has grown in stature to become one of the foremost classical ballet companies in Asia and has established an international reputation. This vibrant company has created such critically acclaimed original productions as "The Last Emperor", "The Emperor and the Nightingale", "Lady of the Camellias", "Beauty and the Beast", "The White Snake" and "Mu Lan". The Company presents a broad-based repertoire, from the world's major full-length classical works to modern pieces based on the classical techniques.
The Company's international recognition is demonstrated by the popular demand for its overseas tours. In 2000, the Company made its debut tour to major European cities and received many favorable reviews. Following a successful Mainland China tour in May 2001, the Company was off again in autumn 2001 on an extensive tour to North America, performing its original production - "The Last Emperor".
"Hong Kong Ballet... a rising star on the international dance circuit. Under Artistic Director Stephen Jefferies, ...the company's reputation has been enhanced by generating a plethora of full-length story ballets." - The Globe and Mail, Toronto (review on "The Last Emperor" North America tour 2001)
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong Ballet's "The Sleeping Beauty" will be staged at 7.30pm from March 29 to 31 (Friday to Sunday) and 2.30pm from March 30 to April 1 (Saturday to Monday) at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. Tickets priced at $270, $210, $150 and $80 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Discount tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323; for ticketing enquiries and reservation, please call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999. To search more information on internet, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp
Specially arranged free Ballet Workshops will be organised for students as well as kids and parents. Ms Florence Lui, Head of Education and Outreach, Hong Kong Ballet, will be present to teach some ballet basics. Workshops will be held at 3.30pm at Rehearsal Room GR2, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, students session on March 9 (Saturday), kids and parents session on March 17 (Sunday). For application, please call 2268 7323 during office hours. Admission will be granted upon prior enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. A pre-show talk will be held at 6:30p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on March 30, 2002 at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. Audiences of "The Sleeping Beauty" are welcome to join in.
End/Thursday, February 28, 2002
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